Latif backs Malik in bid to lift life ban

KARACHI, May 2 (AFP): Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif Thursday backed former team-mate Salim Malik in his bid to overturn a life ban imposed 14 years ago for match-fixing.

Latif, known for his fight against corruption in cricket, said Malik had already suffered enough and should be allowed to coach or do similar work.

"I think Malik should be given relief now," Latif told. "He is not playing or coaching cricket and has served 14 years of his ban."

Latif was the first to blow the whistle on match-fixing on Pakistan's tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe in 1995, accusing Malik and other team-mates of wrongdoing.

Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh revealed the same year that Malik had offered them bribes to under-perform in matches on Australia's tour to Pakistan in 1994.

The allegations prompted the then-Pakistan government to conduct a judicial inquiry in 1998 through Lahore high court judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum who after a two-years investigation banned Malik and paceman Ataur Rehman for life.

The commission also fined six leading players: Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Mushtaq Ahmed, Inzamam-ul Haq and Akram Raza.